Onward & Upwards: 6AC Announces New Executive Director and President

Twelve years ago, I set out to create a dynamic organization to help state and local policymakers identify right to counsel issues and assist them to build strong indigent defense systems. My philosophy of change was simple: I wanted to be invited into dialogue with policymakers, regardless of their political affiliation, to help them understand the value of indigent defense.

I vowed that 6AC would never litigate or lobby but, simply, give [policymakers] objective assessments and good advice.

David Carroll, Founder & President

To help engender their trust, I vowed that 6AC would never litigate or lobby but simply give them objective assessments and good advice. 6AC has come to personify those values because of our exceptional team, whose dedication and professionalism have led to transformative change across America. Because of your support and belief in 6AC’s mission, we have helped states create independent oversight committees, ban flat fee contracts, build and expand trial-level and appellate public defender offices, and standardize early appointment of counsel.

With federal funding to states in doubt and courts, judges, and the legal system under attack for trying to uphold due process and the rule of law, it is time for new, strong leadership to build on this foundation and expand our reach and impact. I am pleased to announce that after careful consideration and well-thought-out succession planning, the 6AC Board voted unanimously to name Aditi Goel the new 6AC Executive Director.

Aditi was selected as the Executive Director after serving as 6AC’s Deputy Director, during which she led the organization’s technical assistance and evaluation efforts. In her tenure at 6AC, she has led transformative public defense reform and conducted comprehensive evaluations, including in South Dakota, Guam, and Lake County, California. Aditi has an intuitive ability to connect with and develop trusting relationships with people and has done so with stakeholders across the country. She led the overhaul of 6AC’s website into a dynamic repository of information on the right to counsel for the public, utilizing her unique ability to simply explain complex legal concepts.

Aditi began her 6AC tenure building our law school internship program, bringing to that effort nearly a decade of public defense experience at our nation’s most premiere public defender systems — as an investigator at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), a public defender at Massachusetts’ Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), and a clinical instructor at Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute. The fact that two of our current staff attorneys joined 6AC after their experience in her law student internship program is a testament to Aditi’s character and leadership style. I am confident that Aditi will lead 6AC to a place beyond my wildest dreams in accomplishing better, more sustainable reform for years to come!

6AC is one of a kind. It is mission-focused, approaches reform methodically, and its philosophy of change – doing the difficult work of engendering trust – works and is one that I personally value.

Aditi Goel, Executive Director

In Aditi’s words: “6AC is one of a kind. It is mission-focused, approaches reform methodically, and its philosophy of change – doing the difficult work of engendering trust – works and is one that I personally value. We have an incredibly talented, smart, and passionate team that I could not be prouder of. We will not waiver from our mission, and I am excited and honored to lead 6AC.”

As for me, I am not going anywhere. I am taking the position of 6AC President and turning my entire focus to fundraising and supporting the team in its growth. Although we are on sound financial footing, more resources will be needed for protecting the constitutional right to counsel in the days, months, and years ahead.  If you have benefitted from 6AC’s work, used the information on our website, read our blog, or simply believe in good governance and the rule of law, please consider contributing through a donation.

Thank you for your support over the years, and for your support for many years to come. I am excited for the next chapter and shared progress ahead.

Thank you,

David Carroll
Founder & President